Pancit canton

Chicken pineapple and egg with bitter gourd

Beef with white beans and ampalaya leaves

Legumes is a class of vegetables that includes beans, peas and lentils. They are among the most versatile and nutritious foods available. Legumes are typically low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. They also contain beneficial fats and soluble and insoluble fiber. A good source of protein, legumes can be a healthy substitute for meat, which has more fat and cholesterol. 

Read more:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/legumes/NU00260

Chopsuey

Dinengdeng with grilled bangus

Combination of bitter gourd, bath sponge, string beans and squash.

Goat caldereta

Healthy selections

Here's me trying to eat sensibly.  This is a stopover at Robinsons before heading to Batangas port and then to Puerto Galera.  With me of course were the mister and the prince.

The prince following my footsteps :-)

Veggies.. veggies

Squid and sarsiadong tuna

Pork mechado

Squash and string beans

Young corn with sweet potato and ampalaya leaves

Tinola with vermicelli and bitter gourd

Adobong kangkong (water spinach)

Kangkong or water spinach originated from tropical Asia, most likely India.  It is grown for local market s and even exported to Hongkong and Europe.  Seed production is a lucrative business in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Hongkong, Japan, and the Philippines.  Kangkong is rich in iron and has been reported to have an insulin-like properties which alleviates hyperglycemia


Sources:
http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACO117.pdf
http://b-and-t-world-seeds.com (for the photo below)

Pochero

Tuna in coconut milk

Bamboo Shoot with Milkfish (Bangus) and Jute Leaves

Bamboo shoots are edible new growth harvested from the bamboo plant. They are very popular in the cuisine of many Asian nations like the Philippines and are available in the country during the rainy season.

A traditional forest vegetable in China for more than 2,500 years, bamboo shoots are not only delicious but are also rich in nutrients, and rank among the five most popular healthcare foods in the world. In Japan, the bamboo shoot is called the King of Forest Vegetables.  Modern research finds that the bamboo shoot has a number of medicinal benefits, from cancer prevention and weight loss to improving appetite and digestion. It is also low in sugar and therefore can be used for treating hypertension, hyperlipemia and hyperglycemia.

Japanese scientists recently discovered that bamboo shoots contain anti-cancer agents and making them a regular part of your diet effectively eliminates the free radicals that can produce dangerous carcinogens.

Sources: 

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-bamboo-shoots.htm

http://www.asian-bamboo.com/bamboo-culture/bamboo-the-species/the-nutritional-benefits-of-eating-bamboo-shoots/

Bamboo shoots

Saluyot or jute leaves on the other hand is rich in beta-carotene for good eyesight, iron for   healthy red blood cells, calcium for strong bones and teeth, and vitamin C for smooth, clear skin, strong immune cells, and fast wound healing. In other words, saluyot is a nourishing green leafy vegetable. Secondly, it is the legitimate source of the world's raw materials for containers of rice, corn, sugar, mongo and other commodities. Saluyot is a leafy vegetable popular among Ilocanos, pasao, pasao na bilog or tagabang among Tagalogs, and lumbal, sumpa or panigbin among Visayans. Saluyot is easy to propagate, you can start harvesting the leaves after one month. It is easier to plant saluyot than any other crop since you don't need pesticide and fertilizer to grow the crop. Sources: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=172 http://ilocanoyork.com/dinengdeng-for-the-terminally-single/saluyot-or-jute-leaves/ Cooking Instruction for Bamboo Shoot with (Milkfish) Bangus and Jute Leaves  Ingredients: 1/4 kilo grated bamboo shoot 1 bundle jute leaves 1 medium grilled or fried bangus cut into 3 1 medium onion 1-2 tbsp anchovies (bagoong) 2 cups water How to Cook: Boil grated bamboo shoot until tender.  Drain and set aside In a casserole add 2 cups water and onion  When water starts to boil, add anchovies (bagoong) and bangus.  boil and simmer for 5 minutes.   Remove bangus from casserole and set aside Add grated bamboo shoot and bring to boil Add jute leaves and cook for 1 min Turn off heat and top the dish with bangus Serving size: 3

Misua with patola

Sponge gourd or luffa (patola in the Philippines) is a genus of tropical and subtropical vine classified in the cucumber family.  It is a  good source of calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamin B.  Its juice is used as a natural remedy for jaundice. The juice is obtained by pounding the bitter luffa and squeezing it through a cloth.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luffa

                http://www.foodrecap.net/recipe/patola-benefits/

Galunggong with bitter gourd leaves

Squash with bitter gourd leaves

Bitter gourd, also known as bitter melon [ampalaya in the Philippines] is traditionally use to treat malaria, hypertension, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes.  It is a tropical vegetable that predominantly grows in Asia.  The leaves are often used for children's coughs and use to treat  skin diseases.   It is also use as an antipyretic and purgative. 

However, while the herb does demonstrate many beneficial properties, there are also a few potentially harmful effects associated with bitter melon.  These may include allergic reactions, hypoglycemic effects, hematemesis, and impaired fertility

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/article/147335-harmful-effects-of-bitter-melon-leaves/#ixzz2NGhxHMap




Squash on the other hand is one of the most nutrient-rich vegetables there are.  All varieties of squash are rich in carotene that may help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.  Other nutrients found in squash include potassium and niacin.

Read more: http://health.wikinut.com/The-Health-Benefits-of-Squash/vqw8.8pk/

Zoobic Safari

Zoobic Safari  is a twenty five hectare land located at Subic Bay Freefort.  Guests are transported into a sight of diverse exotic animals in their simulated natural habitat. During peak season (September-May), the average number of guests per day is 600.  It is open daily from 8AM to 4PM including holidays.  It is a guided tour of two and a half hours.

That's me upon arrival in Zoobic Safari Dec 2012..

One of Zoobic Safari's souvenir shops..

The mister and I after our Close Encounter tour.  Close Encounter A facility that allows one to take a close look at Siberian-Bengal tigers only 2 feet away!

Yacon

I like yacon more than singkamas.. juicier and sweeter and maybe healthier..

Known in the Andean mountains of South America as Apple of the Earth, YACON looks like sweet potato revered in traditional medicine for its myriad healing powers. It is rich in phytochemicals and fructooligosaccharide (FOS), a form of sugar that is barely absorbed by the body but passes through the digestive system without spiking blood sugar, like most other sweeteners—and without the toxic effects of artificial chemical sweeteners.

Where to buy: You can usually see this tuber in Baguio vegetables section.

Read more:
http://www.theonelightgroup.com/latest/benefits-of-yacon
http://www.livestrong.com/article/411828-yacon-root-health-benefits-side-effects/#comments

Papait

Ready for steaming then will be tossed in vinegar, olive oil, spices, then chilled. This is PAPAIT in Ilocano ["sarsalida" in Tagalog]. Twice as bitter as ampalaya leaves and probably the bitterest of all vegetables. I don't know the nutritional value but according to Abe V. Rotor in his blog, PAPAIT contains, among others

• Phosphorus, 0.11%
• Calcium, 0.11%
• Iron, 0.003%

Well, if it's green it must be good.

Puto bumbong

Puto bumbong is a steamed glutinous rice cooked in bamboo.  The usual color of  is purple but nowadays you already see them in different colors.  It is topped with grated coconut, brown sugar and butter or margarine.  Puto bumbong is a traditional Christmas delicacy.

Lumpiang shanghai, etc...

Galunggong, fishballs and lumpiang shanghai...

Oatmeal

Alright, oatmeal, coconut and soft boiled egg doesn't look like a good combination.  But never mind, I still get my energy giving food, glow food and protein.

Hotcakes

Hotcakes for our prince.  We both love it without syrup, butter or margarine.

Tinola

If you're in the Philippines and you hear the word "tinola", that's a Filipino chicken dish. There are many ways to cook chicken but tinola is a preferred dish by the locals.   The usual vegetables added to tinola are the malunggay (moringga) leaves, chili leaves, ampalaya (bitter gourd) leaves, and papaya.  But since I have none of those when I cooked, I made use of what's available.  The fruit of the malunggay tree plus I added vermicelli as extenders.  For the recipe where I used chayote and malunggay leaves, you can find the post here.

Preparing the malunggay...

Instruction for Tinola

Ingredients:

1 kilo chicken (whichever part you prefer is ok)
5 pcs moringa fruit (flesh stripped)
1 medium pack vermicelli
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 thumb size ginger
1 medium size onion
6-8 cloves garlic
2-3 tbsp fish sauce
6-8 cups water

How to Cook:

1. Heat oil in a pan
2. Saute ginger, garlic and onion
3. Add the chicken; saute until brown
4. Add fish sauce and saute chicken for another 5 minutes
5. Add water; let it boil until chicken becomes tender
6. Add vermicelli
7. Add malunggay (moringa) fruit

Serving size: 4-8

Isdaan

These were taken in Isdaan restaurant in Gerona, Tarlac where we dropped by for brunch straight from the airport last December 2012.  Isdaan comes from the root word isda meaning fish.  That's me beaming at the camera.

The singing waiter and waitresses...

Fishes...

The Tacsiyapo wall.  Tacsiyapo is the local word for son-of-a-bitch. It's a curse.  The wall serves as a place to vent your anger to anyone by smashing things like plates, mugs, bowls and even televisions by throwing them to the wall.  Don't forget to pay what you throw.

Throw the television to the tacsiyapo wall and pay P2,000.  You must be very angry to do that.

...and a vase for P350

I, the mister and the prince.  That's a giant buddha sculpture.

The prince love this... angry birds!

Suman

Now this one came from a neighbor.  Suman is a sweet and delicious Filipino delicacy made from glutinous or sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and usually wrapped with banana or coconut leaves.  Other's do not wrapped them anymore especially if it's for home consumption like the one below.  Suman is present mostly during birthdays and other rare and special occasions.

Dragon fruit

Have you tried this fruit?

Dragon Fruit Health Benefits:

■Dragon fruit boosts immune system. Dragon fruit is rich in vitamin C and fibers that help provide an overall healthy body.
■Dragon fruit helps in digestion. Because of the richness in fibers, dragon fruit aids in the digestion of food. Studies also suggest that dragon fruit promotes the growth of probiotics.
■Dragon fruit help to lower blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. Studies also suggest that the glucose found in dragon fruit aids in controlling the blood sugar level for diabetes patients.
■Dragon fruit prevent formation of cancer causing free radicals. Dragon fruit is rich in minerals and fibers that aids in digestion, cleans toxic ingredients thus preventing the occurrence of colon cancer.
■Dragon fruit as anti-oxidant. The presence of high level of vitamin C, minerals and pytoalbumin is regarded as relevant in fighting free radicals and possess anti-oxidant properties.
■Dragon fruit helps to control cholesterol level. Dragon fruit is also rich in flavonoids that are known to have favorable effects against cardio related disease.

Read more about dragon fruit here: http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/articles/dragonfruit-healthbenefits.htm

Radish

Who likes it??? I eat radish this way. It should be in a glass jar. I will put it in the fridge first to chill and get rid a little of the pungent smell. I eat it alone or with my meal. Serves like an appetizer.

And did you know that radishes are filled with health benefits?  It has vitamin C, fiber, for cancer protection and is diet friendly.  Read more about radishes here:http://www.livestrong.com/article/413273-health-benefits-of-radishes/

Fried tilapia and vegetable salad

Steamed kangkong

Eyeing an early lunch - steamed kangkong tops and beef tapa. I'll have rice this time.

Coffee and bread

Coffee and whole wheat bread with dark chocolate spread.  I'm not a big fan of coffee though.  Today is just a rare exemption.